Sharing My Beauty/Fashion Secrets

denim dress- Calvin Klein (thrifted from Crossroads Trading Co.) / wedges- MICHAEL Michael Kors

Today I'm sharing my top three beauty and fashion secrets with you.

1. Find your favorite local secondhand shop and become a regular. In my neighborhood I'm lucky enough to have a number of awesome secondhand stores and live in among some seriously stylish gals...so you know there are always awesome pieces to be found. My personal favorite shop in North Williamsburg has to be Crossroads Trading Co. I'm obsessed with that place. I always have the best luck there. I stopped there on Friday and picked up two practically new Calvin Klein dresses (see that one I'm wearing) and another dress that was never worn (tags still on it!)...three dresses all for only $65! Score!!!

2. Use coconut oil as a hair treatment. I only started doing this after I got my ombre hair about a month ago. Two of the girls that work at the salon that I go to told me it is a must! Not only will it help keep my hair from being dry, but it will help keep it from breaking. I absolutely love how soft it makes my hair! You have to try it!!! Go to the supermarket and pick up some coconut oil. Put some in your hands and rub your hands together to melt it. Slather it on and wrap your head in plastic wrap. Let it sit for an hour or two and then wash it out. You will notice a difference immediately!

3. Red lipstick makes the best accessory. Who needs jewelry or other accessories when all you need to do is swipe some red lipstick on to complete a look? Am I right? As you can see above, I kept my look simple...but the red lips really finish it off. Anyone that says they can't wear red lipstick because of their coloring or their age is crazy. RED IS FOR EVERYONE!!!

Beauty Buzz: OGX

Lately I have fallen in love with a the OGX brand of hair products. I have tried so many of them including: Brazilian Keratin Therapy, Argan Oil of Morocco, and so many others...but my current favorite (which is in my shower right now) has to be the Kukui Oil shampoo and conditioner. It is fantastic.

This product works so great on smoothing my hair on even the most humid of days. Also, my hair feels so thick and strong! Even my husband also uses it and said, "It makes my hair feel so full"...in which I said, "Better than it making it feel thin!"

What do you think of OGX products? Have you used them before? Which are your favorites?

Please note: this post is strictly my personal opinion. This is not a sponsored post. 

Favorites: Red Lipstick

Pink may be my favorite color, but when it comes to lipstick red is my go to hue. I'm usually wearing red lipstick about 90% of the time...and even that isn't nearly enough. Since I often get asked what shade of lipstick I'm wearing, I thought it would be fun to put together my current five favorite lip colors that are in my makeup bag. What I love about all of these is how long they last. Long lasting red lipstick is super important to me! I don't want to be applying it every few hours.

Russian Red (matte) by Mac

To me this color is the purest red I have found. When you think red lips, you think Russian Red!

Audacious Lipstick by Nars in Rita

This is a brighter red with a slight orange tint to it. It instantly brightens up my face when I wear it.

Rouge Cream Lipstick by Sephora Collection in Passion Red

This shade of red is leaning a little more to the violet and berry end of the spectrum. I wear this for a more dramatic and sultry look.

Revlon's Colorburst Balm Stain in Romantic

This feels like a gloss, but holds up like a stain. This shade of red leaves my lips looking like I just ate a bowl full of cherries.

Cream Lip Stain by Sephora Collection in Always Red

When I really want bright and bold lips I wear this lip stain. This color literally lasts all day and it isn't drying like how stains typically are.

Do you have a favorite shade of red? Please share it in the comment section below...as I'm always wanting to try out new makeup (especially when they are recommended). 

Step By Step- The Perfect Red Lip

What I really wanted to do today was an outfit post outdoors in my neighboorhood. But with the "feels like temperture" in the negatives and a massive fire two blocks from my apartment, that was not going to happen. So I thought I'd spend some time indoors and create a little tutorial on how to get the perfect red lip.

I have my lip routine down to a science. Since I wear lipstick (mostly red) almost every single day, I know what works and what doesn't. One of the biggest things I have learned over the years is how to keep my lips looking healthy and not dried out. In my opinion, nothing looks worse that dried, chapped lips that are covered in bold color. It just doesn't work. Here's how I keep my pout healthy and beautiful...

Step #1- Brush your lips lightly with your toothbrush every morning. You will be so surprised how this really does freshen your pout!

Step #2- Use a lip cleanser. I prefer Bliss's Fabulips Foaming Lip Cleanser. I love the effervescent cleansing action! And...it smells fantastic! Seeing this photo reminds me that I need to go get more soon...almost empty...

Step #3- Pick a great shade of red. I must have about 6 or 7 shades of red in my makeup bag, all slightly different. So even though I may wear red lips almost every day I don't get bored with the color. One of my most favorite shades is Sephora's Cream Lip Stain in Always Red. It goes on so beautifully and stays on all day long. 

Step #4- After you remove your lip color moisturize your lips with petroleum jelly. This step really does help keep your lips from drying out. I make this my nightly ritual.

Follow these tips and I promise you beautiful and healthy lips!

Auburn Is The New Black

I'm always up for a change. I started to feel like I was in a rut with my hair over the last few weeks and knew that I had to do something. Not wanting to cut it, I decided to change up my color! 

On Saturday I went to my favorite hair salon to switch up my look. After coming across some amazing auburn looks on Pinterest (and obsessing over Lily Collins hair) I decided that adding some auburn highlights to my hair and making a richer brown was the way to go...and I love it!!! I'm all about subtle changes.

What are your thoughts on my new auburn look?

Links with Style

On this rainy day it's a perfect opportunity to get caught up with the news in the world of fashion...so here we go-

~Gigi Hadid has a huge new gig to add to her ever growing resume.

~Cut has put together another 100 Years of Beauty in One Minute video...and I can't get enough. My favorite looks have to be 1940 and 1960.

~Green liner in the new black. What do you think of this look?

~Refinery29 has put together a list of the best luxury beauty buys for your dog. Yep, you heard me right.

~Are you ready? Merecedes Benz Fashion Week in Berlin starts tomorrow.

~"House of DVF" will be coming back for a second season! There is a God.

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Gift Guide: The Beauty Guru

1) Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude To Go Set available at Macy's- $70

2) Lipstick available at MAC- $16
3) Autograph Liner Set by Kat Von D available at Sephora- $32
4) Deluxe Antibacterial Brush Set available at Sephora- $60

5) Mia 2 Pink Holiday Set available at Clarisonic- $149

6) OPI Gwen Stefani Mini Holiday Stars Set available at Ulta- $13.95

Tips 'n Tricks

You can never have too many beauty tips and tricks up your sleeve...am I right? I thought it would be fun to share my favorite tricks with you all. They are all very simple...but they definitely do come in handy. So, here goes---

Best product for keeping your hair free of flyaways: DRYER SHEETS. If your hair is a little out of control, just take a dryer sheet and rub it through your hair. Use the scent free kind if you don't want your hair to smell like laundry (not like that is a bad thing).

Best way to keep your old clothing looking new: DISPOSABLE RAZORS. When your clothing starts to pill all you have to do is shave it! Seriously. This really works. Your clothing will be good as new. Just make sure you use a razor without any gel strips on it (duh!).

Best eye makeup remover: VASELINE. Just a little dab will go a long way. Sometimes I think this actually works better than makeup remover wipes.

Best lip gloss: VASELINE. I use this all the time. It makes your lips super shiny, and stays on for a very long time. No other gloss compares. Sometimes if I want a little color added I will crush up some eyeshadow and add it to the Vaseline. 

What are some of your favorite beauty tips??? Please share!!!

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PRODUCT REVIEW- Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray

For the last week and a half I have been obsessing over the Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray that my friends at Philip Kingsley sent over for me to check out. As some of you know, I complain about my hair a lot.  It's dry, it breaks easily, etc. I have been trying a number of new products over the last few months...trying to get my hair back to looking normal. This is exactly why I was so excited to try this Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray.

It detangles, provides heat protection, repairs the damage, adds shine and volume, and even protects your hair from UV rays. I mean all that in a light spray? And it doesn't make your hair greasy or weigh it down. Sounds like perfection in a bottle!

I know I have only been using it for a short amount of time, but I honestly already see a difference. My hair is easier to manage, and just has an overall healthier look to it. Also, my hair isn't breaking as much...which has me very, very, very happy.

Be sure to stop by Philip Kingsley's website to purchase a bottle of Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray, and check out the rest of their fantastic line of haircare products.


Disclosure: All opinions expressed in this post are those of the author.

Gatineau Salon Skin Hydration Boost

Over the last year skincare has really taken precedence in my beauty regime. Maybe it's because a few years ago my skin became prone to breakouts (way worse than when I was a teenager). Or maybe it's because I'm now 32 years old and I'm realizing that I have to start keeping a good skincare routine in order to have young looking and flawless skin as I age. I mean, who doesn't want to age gracefully?

Besides the multiple creams and sunscreens that I use, water is definitely up there on my skin care must haves. We always have heard that the more H2O we drink the better it is for our bodies, especially our skin. Since hydration is key, I was very excited to try out Gatineau's Salon Skin Hydration Boost products.

This two piece collection includes an Aquamemory Moisture Replenish mask (75ml) and an Aquamemory Moisture Replenish concentrate (30ml). I have been using the concentrate twice a day (in the morning when I wake up, and again before I go to bed), and the facemask twice a week. In the short time that I have been using these products I already have noticed a difference. My skin is softer, smoother, and overall much clearer.

Disclosure: Products were sent to me to try. Reviews are all my own opinions.

Anastasia Beverly Hills: Bold & Beautiful Kit

Anastasia Beverly Hills has a new makeup kit available: the Bold & Beautiful Kit. This kit comes complete with two sets. The Bold Brows set has Brow Powder, Pomade, Mini Duo Brush, and Mini Tweezers which allow you to sculpt, define, and beautifully layer color for perfect brows. The Beautiful Eyes set comes complete with four matte and shimmering shadows in versatile neutrals are the perfect shades to finish any look. 

This amazing set will be available at ULTA, Nordstrom, Sephora US, and Sephora Canada (retailing $36). I have to say, Anastasia Beverly Hills always impresses me with their amazing kits. I am obsessed with their shadows. I love to wear the colors layered on and rim my eyes with wet sparkly shadows. When wet their shadows go on as perfectly as liquid liner. I love it!

Below you will find a quick tutorial for the Bold & Beautiful Kit. Be sure to check it out!!!

*Snapshot Fashion was provided with this product for review. All opinions are those of Snapshot Fashion.

Anastasia Beverly Hills- Want You To Want Me & Kisses On My List Kits

I am absolutely obsessed with Anastasia Beverly Hills makeup. Not only is their makeup of amazing quality, but their packaging (and promotional advertisements) are so fun and pretty! The other week I was happy to receive two great kits from my friends at Anastasia Beverly Hills.

The Want You To Want Me Eye Shadow Palette ($34)- this kit is so cool because it come in a handy (and adorable) little clutch. Complete with nine shadows, black liquid liner, and brow gel...it's a great kit to keep handy while on the go or even while traveling.

Their Kisses On My List Gloss Set ($30)- this set features six high-shine ultra-hydrating glosses in matte and shimmer shades. What I love most about these glosses is that they last all day. They come in beautiful pinks and corals that work with just about every skin tone. 

Be sure to stop by Sephora or Anastasia.net to purchase these kits.



*All opinions expressed in this post are those of Snapshot Fashion.

Anastasia Beverly Hills: She Wears It Well

Anastasia Beverly Hills has another amazing shadow set in their collection. The She Wears It Well set (retailing at $34) is a beautiful mirrored palette that includes nine shadows (both matte and shimmery shades in neutral shades). This set is perfect for day or night...work or play.

These adorable cards came with the shadows as a special promotion. They show exactly how to get the most out of the She Wears It Well palette. I love these! Now I almost feel like a cosmetics guru.  :-)

Why do I love this eye shadow palette? The shadows have an illumin8 fomula featuring Youthful Synergy Complex and is clinically proven to illuminate, firm, and hydrate the skin. Not only is is good for your skin...but it is also long wearing, crease free, and can be worn either wet or dry! What's not to love?!?!

Anastasia Beverly Hills: See and Be Seen

I was beyond excited the other day when I opened up my mailbox and there was a huge goodie box full of Anastasia Beverly Hills products. Their See & Be Seen kit will be arriving to Sephora and Anastasia.net this May (retailing at $44, with an $80 value). I'm so thankful that my friends at ABH sent this preview over to me so I can share it with all of my readers. This fantastic kit includes:

• 2 HydraFull Gloss colors in Heiress and Plastic
• Caramel tinted Brow Gel
• ILLUMIN8 Shadow duo in On Set 

What I loved most about this kit was the way they promoted it...with a 3D Viewmaster! This made me instantly smile. Such brilliant marketing...don't you think??? Here are some pictures of me acting silly with the Viewmaster while rocking the HydraFull Gloss in Heiress and in Plastic.

They also sent over some more Lash Genius...which I am now obsessed with. You may remember me talking about Lash Genius recently. You simply put a top coat of Lash Genius over your regular mascara...and it instantly waterproofs your lashes without drying. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! Below is a Lash Genius tutorial from Anastasia that explains this product in more details.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by PR but does not affect my review or opinions in any way. 

Lash Genius from Anastasia Beverly Hills

The other day I received the coolest product from my friends at Anastasia Beverly Hills called Lash Genius. This is a waterproof topcoat that you put on over any mascara. It instantly waterproofs, refreshes, and protects your mascara all day long. This colorless topcoat does not dry, harden, or clump lashes...which often happens with regular waterproof mascara.

I absolutely love this product! I cannot wait for you to try Lash Genius, which retails at $21. It will be available at Sephora in May 2012...so mark it on your calendar ladies. You can thank me later.  :-)

A quick side note: I wanted to share some of the hilarious photos from the booklet that came with my Lash Genius. Too clever and cute for words.